Cinema: The Lion in Autumn

Anne of the Thousand Days appears to have been made for one person: the
Queen of England. Though it exhibits its royalty rampant on a field of
anguish, the film provides a thoroughly upbeaten ending. Cannons
resound as Queen Anne Boleyn is beheaded. Henry VIII hears the signal,
puts spur to horse and gallops off "to Mistress Seymour's house!" All
the while, the future Virgin Queen placidly wanders the palace gardens,
toddling toward history. The monarchical fevers are burning out; and
England, booms the sound track, is ready for the high triumphs of...